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Jacob Wittman
I am a quantiative invasion entomologist specializing in experimental design, statistical inference, communication, and teaching. I am seeking a data scientist role which makes use of my experience managing complex ecological projects, collaborating across disciplines with varied stakeholders, and connecting my analysis to practical management outcomes.
Projects
Evaluating anisotropy in the spread of emerald ash borer (PhD)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
Current - 2019
- Modeled the spread of emerald ash boerer across North America using generalized additive models and simultaneous autoregressive models.
- Model predictions will be used by managers in North America to assess when emerald ash borer will spread to their communities and plan management tactics accordingly.
Estimating the range of attraction of a sex-pheromone used in traps to detect emerald ash borer (PhD)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2021 - 2018
- Designed experiments using novel trapping arrangement and analyzed data with non-linear Bayesian regression to determine the attraction radius of a sex pheromone was 90 feet.
- Communicated results at two international conferences, one of which was awarded a President’s Prize for best graduate student presentation, and in a peer-reviewed journal article.
- Results are used by invasive species managers to deploy efficient trapping networks in ports and cities globally.
Forecasting overwintering mortality of a biological control agent in North America (PhD)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020 - 2018
- Assessed the cold tolerance of a parasitic wasp used via laboratory and field experiments.
- Forecasts of overwintering survival of this wasp across the USA and Canada using generalized estimating equations will be used for targeting effective release locations.
Determining the efficacy of regulatory requirements on limiting the spread of Lymantria dispar (MSc)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018 - 2016
- Evaluated the efficacy of regulatory requirements in lumber yards designed to reduce the spread of the invasive moth Lymantria dispar through careful experimentation.
- Demonstrated evidence from generalized linear regression and Monte Carlo simulations to regulatory bodies that current requirements were sufficient to reduce inadvertent movement of this insect.
Education
PhD., Entomology (graduate minor Biostatistics)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
Current - 2018
- Dissertation: Addressing outstanding questions related to the management of emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
- Relevant coursework: Biostatistical Inference, Statistical Methods for Correlated Data, Biostatistical Modeling and Methods, Statistical Learning and Data Mining, Data Management for Biologists, Introduction to Bayesian Analysis, Spatial Biostatistics
M.S., Entomology
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018 - 2016
- Thesis: Effects of host type and food deprivation on the movement behavior of late-instar larvae of gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
- Relevant coursework: R for Natural Resource Sciences, Advanced R Programming, Statistics for Ecologists, Spatial and Temporal Analyses
B.S., Biology, Environmental Studies (minor Secondary Education)
Luther College
Decorah, IA
2012 - 2008
Publications
Forecasting overwintering mortality of Spathius galinae in North America
Biological Control 160: 104694
N/A
2021
J. Wittman, B. Aukema, J. Duan, and R. Venette
Optimizing early detection strategies: defining the effective attraction radius of attractants for emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 23(4): 527 – 535.
N/A
2021
J. Wittman, P. Silk, K. Parker, and B. Aukema
A guide and toolbox to replicability and open science in entomology.
Journal of Insect Science 20(3): 1 – 9.
N/A
2020
J. Wittman and B. Aukema
Rail transport as a vector of emerald ash borer
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 22(1): 92 – 97.
N/A
2020
M. Short, K. Chase, T. Feely, A. Kees, J. Witttman, and B. Aukema
Factors associated with diversity and distribution of buprestid prey captured by foraging Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)
Environmental Entomology 49(6): 1363 - 1373.
N/A
2020
M. Hallinen, J. Wittman, and B. Aukema
Foliage type and deprivation alters the movement behavior of late instar European gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 32(1): 25 – 37.
N/A
2019
J. Wittman and B. Aukema
A comparison of adult butterfly communities on remnant and planted prairies in northeast Iowa
Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 73(4).
N/A
2019
E. Stivers, J. Wittman, and K. Larsen
Characterizing and simulating the movement of late-instar gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) to evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory practices
Environmental Entomology 48(3): 496 - 606.
N/A
2019
J. Wittman, R. Nicoll, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema
Butterfly surveys are impacted by time of day
Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 71(2): 125 – 129.
N/A
2017
J. Wittman, E. Stivers, and K. Larsen
Evaluation of land use and water quality in an agricultural watershed in the USA indicates multiple sources of bacterial impairment
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 185(12): 10395 – 10420.
N/A
2013
J. Wittman, A. Weckwerth, C. Weiss, S. Heyer, J. Seibert, B. Kuennen, C. Ingels, L. Seigley, K. Larsen, J. Enos-Berlage
Invited Presentations
What You Eat Affects How You Move: Links Between Caterpillar Behavior and Gypsy Moth Management.
Annual Gypsy Moth Review
N/A
2019
- J. Wittman, R. Nicoll, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema
- Seattle, WA, USA
Evaluating the effectiveness of buffer zone practices in preventing the spread of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
Gypsy Moth Program Advisory Committee Meeting
N/A
2016
- J. Wittman, P. Chaloux, D. Lance, and B. Aukema
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
I Would Walk 500 Miles: Orientation and Movement Potential of Gypsy Moth Larvae in a Simulated Lumber Yard
Annual Gypsy Moth Review
N/A
2016
- J. Wittman, P. Chaloux, D. Lance, and B. Aukema
- Cleveland, OH, USA
Contributed Presentations
Forecasting overwintering mortality of Spathius galinae in North America
North American Forest Insect Working Conference
N/A
2021
- J. Wittman, B. Aukema, J. Duan, and R. Venette
- Virtual
Cold tolerance and overwintering mortality of Spathius galinae in Minnesota
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
N/A
2020
- J. Wittman, R. Venette, J. Duan, and B. Aukema
- Virtual
Estimating the effective attraction radius of a short-range sex pheromone of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in baited traps
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2020
- J. Wittman, K. Parker, P. Silk, and B. Aukema
- Virtual
Using Bayesian statistical methods to estimate the effective attraction radius of a short-range sex pheromone of emerald ash borer in baited traps
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2019
- J. Wittman, K. Parker, K. Ryall, P. Silk, and B. Aukema
- St. Louis, MO, USA
Replicability and open science in entomology
Department of Entomology Seminar, University of Minnesota
N/A
2019
- J. Wittman
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
Effect of cooling rate on survival of Spathius galinae when exposed to sub-zero temperatures
North Central Forest Pest Workshop
N/A
2019
- J. Wittman, J. Duan, R. Venette, and B. Aukema
- Lisle, IL
Effects of host foliage on the movement behavior of larvae of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2018
- J. Wittman, P. Chaloux, S. Myers, and B. Aukema
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
Keeping gypsy moth where they are: Investigating how far gypsy moth larvae can move
Western Forest Insect Work Conference
N/A
2018
- J. Wittman, P. Chaloux, S. Myers, and B. Aukema
- Denver, CO, USA
Evaluating gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larval movement potential and effective barriers limiting their movement
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2017
- J. Wittman, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema
- Denver, CO, USA
Supporting policy with science: Are buffer zones around wood products effective at preventing the spread of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
International Union of Forest Research Organizations - Forest Insects and Pathogens in a Changing Environment
N/A
2017
- J. Wittman, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema
- Thessaloniki, Greece
Do buffer zones prevent the spread of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
N/A
2016
- R. Nicoll, J. Wittman, S. Myers, D. Lance, and B. Aukema
- La Crosse, WI, USA
Bees, butterflies, and beetles: a comparison of remnant and planted prairies in Northeast Iowa
Day of Insects - Iowa State University
N/A
2016
- J. Wittman, E. Stivers, and K. Larsen
- Ames, IA, USA
Poster Presentations
Prey diversity of foraging Cerceris fumipennis Say (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) and factors influencing buprestid diversity and species distributions in Minnesota
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2019
- M. Hallinen, J. Wittman, and B. Aukema
- St. Louis, MO, USA
Developing science to support practice: Determining distances required to protect log decks from wandering gypsy moth larvae
United States Department of Agriculture Interagency Forum on Invasive Species
N/A
2018
- J. Wittman, P. Chaloux, S. Myers, and B. Aukema
- Annapolis, MD, USA
A comparison of adult butterfly communities on remnant and planted prairies in northeast Iowa
Entomological Society of America National Meeting
N/A
2015
- E. Stivers, J. Wittman, and K. Larsen
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
Exploring the Dry Run Creek watershed: molecules, microbes, and macroinvertebrates
Iowa Water Conference
N/A
2012
- J. Wittman, A. Weckwerth, J. Enos- Berlage
- Ames, IA, USA
Teaching Experience
Being a teacher made me a better communicator. I learned effective strategies for delivering technical material to non-technical audiences. Working with diverse groups of students over my teaching career helped me understand the importance of empathy to build constructive learning communities.
Private R and Statistics Tutor
Online
Wyzant Tutoring
Current - 2019
- Provide individualized R and/or statistics tutoring sessions to students ranging from high school to graduate school.
Guest Lecturer
Various Locations
N/A
2021 - 2019
- R Programming for Technology Applications (DIGA 645A), Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- Forest Entomology (ENT 4251), University of Minnesota
Certificate: Preparing Future Faculty
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020 - 2019
- Completed a certificate program provided by the University of Minnesota to graduate students to prepare them for teaching in higher education.
- Used best practices in pedagogy to design instructional activities for a graduate level statistics course in which I guest taught.
Spatial and Temporal Analyses (ENT 5126)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020
- Developed and delivered lectures on linear regression to graduate students. Assessed learning with brief formative and summative assessments. Assisted students with lab activities including writing R code and interpreting statistical analyses.
- Course covered appropriate ways to analyse data with temporal or spatial structure in R.
Insect Biology (ENT 1005)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018
- Led one lab section of undergraduate students. Delivered lectures on topics in insect biology. Co-developed lab activities and assessments to meet course learning objectives.
Science Teacher (7 - 12 grade)
DREAM Technical Academy
Willmar, MN
2016 - 2014
- Developed project-based learning curriculum. Helped align student projects and interests with state learning targets and outcomes.
- Participated in faculty-led administrative structure. Served as chair of Technology Committee (2014 - 2016). Served on Personnel Committee (2014) and Facilities Committee (2015).
- Held position as ‘Convener Teacher’ in 2015 - 2016 school year where I led all-staff meetings, attended district and state level meetings, and monitored and reported on school progress toward state goals.
Grants, Honors, and Awards
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship ($25000)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2021 - 2020
- Competitive university wide fellowship awarded to students in the final year of their doctoral program.
Marion Brooks Wallace Award ($2000)
Department of Entomlogy, University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020
- Competitive award for a PhD student conducting basic research in entomlogy.
President’s Prize ($100)
Entomological Society of America
N/A
2020
- Award for placing first in the graduate student presentation competion.
Council of Graduate Student Travel Grants ($205)
Council of Graduate Students, University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2019
- Competitive travel grant available to graduate students at the University of Minnesota.
McLaughlin Gormley King Fellowship ($20000)
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2017 - 2016
- Competitive department fellowship to support outstanding students carrying out research in the area of integrated pest management.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Teacher Scientist Fellowship
Luther College
Decorah, IA
2013 - 2012
- Competivie fellowship to fund a fifth year of post-undegraduate education to complete coursework and practicuum experience required for a teaching license.